• Folsom, D. P., Lebowitz, B. D., Lindamer, L. A., Palmer, B. W., Patterson, T. L., & Jeste, D. V. (2006). Schizophrenia in late life: Emerging issues. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 8, 45-52.

Provides a good, brief, overview of several major areas of research and clinical care that are particularly relevant to older adults with schizophrenia. Includes a discussion of the public health challenges and cost of care, course of the illness, cognition, medical care and comorbidity, and treatment concerns related to use of atypical antipsychotic drugs.

• Palmer, B. W., McClure, F. S., & Jeste, D. V. (2001). Schizophrenia in late life: Findings challenge traditional concepts. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 9, 51-58.

Excellent overview and discussion of research on both EOS and LOS. More detailed discussion of research than that in Folsom et al., particularly research on cognitive functioning and neuropsychology, family history, and clinical characteristics.

• Van Citters, A. D., Pratt, S. I., Bartels, S. J., & Jeste, D. V. (2005). Evidence-based review of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments for older adults with schizophrenia. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 28, 913-939.

Excellent systematic review of the treatment of schizophrenia in older adults. Even though this review was published in 2005, little has been published since that would change the findings. The research is limited for both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions—particularly the latter.

Additional readings for students who would like to explore this issue in more detail.

• Cohen, C. I. (Ed.). (2003). Schizophrenia into later life: Treatment, research, and policy. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Harvey, P. D. (2005). Schizophrenia in late life: Aging effects on symptoms and course of illness. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Both of these books are thoughtful, well-written, and provide a comprehensive discussion of EOS, LOS, and VLOS. Both discuss clinical characteristics, comorbidity, psychosocial issues, medication treatment, and psychosocial treatment. Both are well referenced. The Cohen book, though older, has chapters written by many of the major scholars in the field.